This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7641656.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Abducted Western tourists freed Abducted Western tourists freed
(20 minutes later)
A group of Western tourists and their Egyptian guides, who were kidnapped 10 days ago, have been freed.A group of Western tourists and their Egyptian guides, who were kidnapped 10 days ago, have been freed.
The 11 hostages - five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian - and their guides are said to be in good health.The 11 hostages - five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian - and their guides are said to be in good health.
The group was abducted by gunmen in a remote border region of Egypt. They are now said to be en route to Cairo. The group, abducted by gunmen in a remote border region of Egypt, are now said to be en route to Cairo.
They have been moved around a lawless desert region touching on the borders of Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Chad. Their exact whereabouts is unclear. During their captivity, they were moved around a lawless desert area straddling Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Chad.
The release of the Westerners was reported on Egyptian state television and confirmed by the Italian foreign ministry. The freeing of the Westerners was reported on Egyptian state television and confirmed by the Italian foreign ministry.
No details were given on the circumstances of their release.
The kidnappers had demanded that Germany take charge of payment of an $8.8m (£4.9m) ransom. It is unclear if any payment was exchanged.The kidnappers had demanded that Germany take charge of payment of an $8.8m (£4.9m) ransom. It is unclear if any payment was exchanged.
News of the release comes a day after Sudanese troops clashed with alleged kidnappers in northern Sudan, killing six gunmen. Another two were taken into custody. The breakthrough comes a day after Sudanese troops clashed with alleged kidnappers in northern Sudan, killing six gunmen. Another two were taken into custody.
The two suspects claimed the tourists were in Chad but their exact whereabouts at the time of rescue remains unclear. The two suspects claimed the tourists were in Chad but their exact whereabouts at the time of rescue remains unclear. Chad denied the group was within its borders.
In a statement, the military said the vehicle of the hostage-takers was full of weapons and documents detailing how the ransom should have been paid.In a statement, the military said the vehicle of the hostage-takers was full of weapons and documents detailing how the ransom should have been paid.
Other documents found inside led the army to believe a faction of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army was involved in the kidnapping.Other documents found inside led the army to believe a faction of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army was involved in the kidnapping.
None of Darfur's numerous rebel groups have said they were linked to the kidnappings.None of Darfur's numerous rebel groups have said they were linked to the kidnappings.
Other reports said the abduction, near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, was carried out by tribesmen or bandits operating in the area.